Lighting apparatus



Feb. 8, 1949, LQSCHEPMOES LIGHTING APPARATUS s She'ts-Sheet 1 Filed Sept. 20, 1944 schepmoes R O T N E V m Lmdsley Feb. 8, 1 949.

L. SCHEPMOES ,LIGHT'ING APPARATUS 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Sept. 20, 1944v new .I N? a Q s m w/ u m m L m .7 m Q g s WWW Q m ,gimi

Patented Feb. 8, 1949 LIGHTING APPARATUS Lindsley Schepmoes, New Haven, Conn., assignor to The Safety Car Heating and Lighting Company, Inc., a corporation of Delaware Application September 20, 1944, Serial No. 554,870

12 Claims. 1 This invention relates to lighting apparatus and more particularly to lighting apparatus for use in railroad cars or the like.

One of the objects of this invention is to provide lighting apparatus for railroad cars or the like which-will be simple, practical, and thoroughly durable. Another object is to provide apparatus of the above character in which all portions of the car are furnished with an adequate supply of light. Another object is to provide apparatus of the above character which is light and inexpensive in construction, pleasing in appearance, and particularly well adapted for use in railroad cars and the like. Another object is to provide individual lighting under the control of each passenger. Another object is to provide apparatus of the above character which may be readily disassembled to replace worn parts. Another object is to provide new and improved lighting apparatus for a railroad car or the like. Other objects will be in part obvious and in part pointed out hereinafter. I

The invention accordingly consists, in the features of construction, combinations of elements, and arrangements of parts, as will be exemplified in the structure to be hereinafter described, and the scope of the application of which will be indicated in the following claims. e

In the accompanying drawings in' which is shown one of the various possible embodiments of this invention,

Figure 1 is a fragmentary transverse elevation of a railroad car in which the lighting apparatus is installed;

Figure 2 is a side elevation of a pair of seats in a railroad car having the lighting apparatus installed thereon; V

Figure 3 is a top plan view of the seats shown in Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a vertical sectional view of one of the fixtures of the lighting apparatus, certain parts thereof being broken away;

Figure 5 is a vertical section taken on the line 5-5 of Figure 4; V V

Figure 6 is a vertical section taken on the line 8-5 of Figure 4;

Figure 7 is a vertical section of another fixture of the lighting apparatus, certain parts thereof be pointed out that many of the lighting systeins now in use in railroad cars are inefiicient in that certain parts of the car where lights are not needed are overlighted and other parts where light is needed are underlighted. A majority of the present lighting systems are installed in the clerestory of a railroad car, and accordingly because of the distance between the clerestory and the seats, the passengers do not receive adequate illumination for reading.- If sufiicient illumination is supplied for reading, then the lighting systems give ofi considerable glare which is disagreeableto and may strain the eyes of the passengers who are not reading. Furthermore, the light in the average railroad car lighting system is not concentrated upon the seats where it benefits the passengers to the greatest degree. Thus, it is another object of this invention to provide apparatus for lighting a railroad car or the like which will overcome the above-named diificulties as well as many others.

Referring to Figures 1, 2, and 3, in general the lighting apparatus Ill includes a frame having portions Illa and Iilb mounted on the car seats, generally indicated at Ila and Ill). Frame portions Illa and Illb support three lighting fixtures, generally indicated at l2, I3, and I4. Lighting fixtures I2 and I4 are constructed to furnish light to the individual seats positioned under them, and the light from lighting fixture I3 isdirected upwardly to illuminate the upper portions of the car. 4

The frame portions Illa and Illb are tubular and may be made either of plastic or metal. At their lower ends these portions are connected to and form a part of the framework ofthe arms I6 and ll of seats Ila and Ill). Frame portions Illa and lllb extend upwardly from arms I6 and I! (Figures 1 and 2) in alignment with the backs of seats I la and I lb, thence curve forwardly over arms IB and I1 (Figure 3) and thence curve inwardly so that their upper ends Illc and llld are facing each other and are positioned over the outer portions of the cushions of seats Ila and Ilb( Figure '1). Lighting fixtures l2 and I4 are connected to the upper ends lllc and lild of frame portions Illa and I01), and the tubular housing of lighting fixture I3 is connected to the inner ends of fixtures I2 and I4. Lighting fixture I2 is positioned above seat Ila and its operation is controlled by the occupant of that seat through switch I8 (Figure 3), and lighting fixture I4 is positioned above seat IIb and its operation is controlled by the occupant of that seat through switch I9.

Lighting fixtures I2 and I4 are similar in construction, and accordingly detailed description of 3 these fixtures will be limited to fixture l4. Lighting fixture i4 (Figure 4) has a framework including a pair of fittings, generally indicated at 20 and 2 l, which are connected by longitudinal supports 24 and 25 (Figures 4 and 6). Fittings 20 and 21 are similar in construction and include ring-shaped portions 20a and filo, which areexternally threaded and which coast with internal threads formed in the ends of frame portion "lb and the tubular housing of lighting fixture t3, thus to mount lighting fixture l4. Fittings 2i) and 2! also include a pair of U-shaped portions 261; and Zlb (Figures 4 and which are integrally connected to ring-shaped portions 20;: and 21g and which form the supports for the sockets 2'2 and 23 of the fixture and also for longitudinal supports 24 and 25. Supports 22 metre extend lengthwise throughout the fixture and are connected at their ends to the sides of the U'-'shaped portions 202) and 2th of fittings and Z! by screws 26 (Figure 5).

Sockets 22 and 23 each have metal tongue portions 22a and 2311 which extend over the bottom of the U -shaped portions 20b and 21b of fittings 26 and 2i and'are connected to these portions by screws 27 and .28. An elongated tubular illuminator, generally indicated at 29 (Figure 4) is mounted on sockets 22 and 23 by means of its prongs 39 and 3} on its opposite ends. Prongs 33 and 3! form electrical contacts with contact elements in sockets 2.2 and 23 which are connected into the wiring circuit of the lighting apparatus.

A lens, generally indicated at 32, is mounted beneath 'iiluminator 29 (Figures 4 and 6) and extends between fittings 20 and 2!. The lens is supported by a pair of flanges v2.4a and extending inwardly from. the lower edges of supporting members 2d and. 25. Lens 32' (Figure 6) has a pair of flange portions are and 32b extending upwardly from its longitudinal edges. These flange portions have a series of notches 33 (Figure 4) cut' therein; .pairs"o' f which are aligned transversely across the lens and which are adapted to receive and hold a series of opaque louvres 34 in vertical positions in the fixture. These louvres insure e en distribution of the light from the fixture. V

The fixture'is covered by a tubular shaped housing 35which is mounted on the cylindrically shaped portions of fittings 2 0 and 21 and which has a slot 38 extending longitudinally thereof through which the light from the fixture passes. The inner surface of housing '35 acts as a reflector directing rays of light from illuminator 29 downwardly through lens 32 (Figure 4), Because it is mounted on the cylindrically shaped portions 28a and 29a of fittings 2B and 2i; housing 35 may be manually rotated with respect to the framework of the fixture so that slot 36 instead of being positioned in alignment with the lens in the fixture is positioned above illuminator 29. When the housing is thus positioned, the interior of the fixture is readily accessible for repairs such as replacing a burnt out illuminator. Housing 35 maintains its position with respect to the fixture through friction between it and the outer surface of fittings 29 and 2|. 7 r

Referring now to Figure fl, lighting fixture l3 includes a framework comprising fittings 4i and 42 connected by longitudinal supports, generally indicated at 43 and 44. The framework is mounted within the tubular housing, generally indicated at 40, and lon i ud s ports n 4 are wrinse ed i9 fittings and 4? y screws 45 which thread into the sides of the U -shaped portions Ma and 42a of fittings 4! and 42. A pair of sockets 46 and 41 are connected by their tongue portions 46a and Ma; and by screws 48 and 49 to the U-shaped portions of fittings 4! and 42. A tubular illurninator, generally indicated at 5B, is mounted by its prongs 5i and 5 2 on sockets 46 and 41 and these prongs contact electrical contacts infthe sockets to complete the circuit to 'illumin'ator 5B. The electrical contacts in the sockets are connected into the electrical circuit of the lighting apparatus by wiring (not shown), which is contained within the frame portions Illa and lb of the lighting apparatus andpa'sses longitudinally of all of the fixtures 'in,the space between their housings and the longitudinalsupports of the frameworks, such as support 33 (:Figure 8.) A reflector, generally indicated at 53, is mounted beneath illuminator Stand its ends are connected to the U-shaped portions of fittings 4i and 42 by screws 54 and 55. Housing 40 has acut-outp'ortion are therein above illuminator 50 and a plastic globe 553 is positioned within this'fcut-out"portion over illuminator 5G. "Globe .ili has a pair of fianges 5.6a and 5612 (Figure 3) along its longitudinal edges which coact with the upper edges of the reflector 53 and flanges 43a and 44a of longitudinal sup ports "AS and M to hold the globe in position on the fixture. Globe 56 maybe removed from the fixture by flexing lit longitudinally and when it is removed from the 'fixturefthe illuminator 5,0 and otherparts of the fixture are readily accessible for repair.

As'desc'ribed herein boye, fixture It is ,con-

nected'b'y' its fittings to fixture I3 and to the upper end 'llld' 'orrrame portion i917. Fixture i2 is mountedin a similar manner, one end being connected to the upper end Hie of portion Ilia and its opposite endbeing connected to fixture 53. The lenses in fixtures l2" and lit face downwardly toward the cushions 'i'n' seats a and Nb (Figure 1) so that the rays 'of'l'igh't therefrom illuminate each seat; The opaque louvres 34 gure 4) are of 'material aid in evenly distributing the lightfrom the illu1"nin atofs in fixtures l2 and 14; as described 'hereinab'ove, the rays of light from fixture'JB (Figure 1) are di} rected upwardly toward the upper portions of the car. llluminatorl'ifl ispreferably oi'a type whichgives of ultra yiolet rays and globe is of a type which is transparent to ultra violet rays and opaque to yisiblel'i'ght. The bagga rack 60' andthe' ciling'fil of the car are coated with fluorescent rpaint and thusthe ultra violet r'ays from'fixture' ]-3' 'coaet .uiith the baggage rack 60 and the ceiling 6T to evenly illuminate the interior of the car. The fixtures 13 on, each pair of seats are preferably controlled by a master switch so that the illumination ot-the car is under the cjon't'rol of the train crew."

'Thus lighting apparatus has been disclosed w h P v d s in i iiiai l mina n m s of the seats in a railroad car. This apparatus is so constructed that it forms apart of theframework of the chair and does not interfere with the operation of the type -ofseat in which the back is adjustable as indicated by the dotted line 10 (Figure 2). The operation of each seat i ht i =I .Q. ,l by the mome of e e by switches such as switches l8 and Ill (Figure 3) which are readilyaccessible. The body of the ca is e en l minate b fix ur a v the. ultra violet rays from this fixture illuminate hefiu es n one nertions oi t e i ar- T s lighting apparatus has been disclosed which is practical and efficient in operation and in which the several objects hereinabove mentioned, as well as many others, are accomplished.

As many possible embodiments may be made of the above invention, and as many changes might be made in the embodiment above set forth, all matter hereinabove set forth or shown in the accompanying drawings is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

I claim:

' 1. In lighting apparatus, in combination, a pair of frame members extending upwardly from the arms of a pair of railroad car seats in align ment with the backs of said seats, thence extending forwardly and then inwardly toward each other, three lighting fixtures mounted between the upper ends of said frame members, each of said lighting fixtures including a rigid frame construction with end brackets and with parallel longitudinal members which provide a space for an illuminator and also including a reflector positioned either above or below the space for said illuminator with the side opposite said reflector being adapted to transmit light rays, two of said lighting fixtures having the rays of light therefrom directed downwardly upon the seats positioned therebeneath, individual switch means operable, by the occupant of a seat for controlling the operation of each of said last-mentioned fixtures, the third fixture having the light rays therefrom directed upwardly to illuminate the upper portions of the car, and switch means operable by a member of the train crew for controlling the operation of said last-mentioned fixture.

2. In a lighting fixture, the combination of, a pair of bracket members each having an annular portion presenting a substantially cylindrical supporting surface and also having an axially extending bracket portion, a pair of parallel longitudinal members, supporting said bracket members with the bracket portions spaced apart and projecting toward each other with the longitudinal members being spaced from each other and attached at their ends to opposite sides of said bracket members whereby said bracket members and said longitudinal members provide an elongated space defined at the ends by said bracket members and defined at two opposite sides by said longitudinal members, an elongated tubular illuminator positioned longitudinally within said space and supported at its ends by said bracket portions, means presenting a concave reflector surface along one side of said illuminator, and channel globe means positioned along the other side of said illuminator and extending along one side of said space from one of said longitudinal members to the other, each of said longitudinal members having rib means which overlies the adjacent edge of said globe means whereby said globe means is held in position.

3. In a lighting fixture, the combination of, a pair of bracket members each providing a socket adapted to receive the end of an elongated tubular illuminator, a pair of parallel longitudinal members attached at their ends respectively to opposite sides of said bracket members and rigidly holding said bracket members in spaced relationship with said sockets facing each other whereby the longitudinal members and the bracket member's define an elongated space, I

each of said elongated members having a flat wall adjacent the bracket members and defining one side of said space and presenting on its side opposite said flat wall a contour which is substantially a segment of a cylinder whereby the elongated members and the bracket members may be snugly received within a cylindrical casing construction, means presenting a channel-like concave reflector surface along one side of the zone within said space which is to be occupied by the illuminator supported in said sockets, and a channel globe positioned. along the side of said space and opposite said reflector surface with respect to said zone with the globe substantially closing the side of the space between the adjacent edges of said longitudinal members.

4. In a lighting fixture, the combination of, a pair of bracket members each having an annular portion presenting a supporting surface and also having an axially extending bracket portion, said bracket members being positioned in fixed spaced relationship with their bracket portions facing each other, a pair of parallel longitudinal members positioned with their ends fixed respectively to the opposite sides of said bracket members and defining an elongated space, each of said longi-' tudinal members having a substantially flat wall adjacent said bracket members with overlying edge portions which extend beyond the fiat wall along the edges of the adjacent sides of said space and also having on the side opposite said bracket members a pair of spaced flanges which form with said edge portion a contour which is a sector of a cylinder whereby said longitudinal members and said bracket members are adapted to be received within a cylindrical casing struc-- ture, and a globe supported by said edge portions.

5. A lighting fixture as described in claim 4 wherein said globe is a lens which directs the rays of light, and a plurality of opaque louvres positioned in parallel relationship transversely of said space and adjacent said globe.

6. A lighting fixture as described in claim 4 which includes, a reflector positioned within said spacerand engaging the edges of said globe to hold said globe against said edge portions.

'7. A lighting fixture as described in claim 4 which includes, a cylindrical casing rotatively mounted on said longitudinal members and having an opening which may be positioned in alignment with said globe to permit the passage of light. 7

8. In lighting apparatus of the character described, the combination of, a pair of frame members extending upwardly in spaced relationship and thence {substantially horizontally, a plurality of lighting fixtures mounted in end-toend relationship upon the upper end portions of said frame members with there being two substantially identical end fixtures; each of said end fixtures including, a pair of bracket members positioned at the ends of the fixture and providing means to support a tubular illuminator positioned therebetween, a pair of parallel longitudinal members supported in fixed relationship with respect to each other and with respect to said bracket members to provide an elongated longitudinal space for the above-mentioned tubular illuminator, means presenting a concave reflector surface along one substantially horizontal side of the space for said illuminator between the parallel edges of said longitudinal members, and globe means positioned along the space for said illuminator opposite said reflector surface and bridging the space between said longitudinal members with each of said longitudinal members having rib means engaging the adjacent edge of 7 saidirglobaimeazns whereby said iglobe nmeansizis heldeingzposition.

19.; 'In r lig'hting eapparatusirofithe character described; the combinationiofg ia' paim'of. frame memherseextending :npwardlyiin spaced-relationship and thence'substazitiailyrhorizontahy;zaz xhzraiity ofjlighting fixtures" moureted iniEIld'-tOESI1d 'iiG1&- tionship .aupon the upper send" portions 50f :said frame memherm-feachwof saidfixturesiincluding;-.a painsofa:'bracketimemberszpositionedaatytheeends of. the rfixtureiandtproviding means. to isupports-a tubuiar; illuminatoipositioned :therebetween, ma pair-.zofeparallel longitudinal; anembers' supported in vfixed relationship with respect to eaeh'other and with respect to saidobracket-members .to provide an elongated longitudinal space forthe above imentioned tubular iilluminator with top and bottomopen sides, means presenting'a-rconcave refie'ctorsurface along. one of said open sides between. said longitudinal members, and gl'oee means :positioned along the other of said sides bridging the space between said longitudinal members with each of said longitudinal members having rib meansengaging the adjacent edge of said globe means whereby saidglobe means is held/in" position. 7

10. Lighting apparatus as described in claim 9 wherein at least one of "said fixtures has its globe means along the top so as to direct-lightrays upwardly.

11. Lighting apparatus :asdescribed in claim 10 wherein said frame membersare mounted-on the' opposite sides of-apair of"rai1road car seats inali'gnment withthe backsofwsaid seatsand extendimpwardly zaridithencef-forwaiidlsesosthatisaid lightingvfixtures arewmounteld .zoxzerdihei seatseand wherein there are? three:lightineiflturesthe end onesrefwhichldirect light raysxdownwardlwtmthe reading-:Zonesrin therespectiveseats.

12. Lighting apparatus as "described- :in :ciaixml-l which=inc1udes;azpainofbylindrical casingsiotatably rxnour ited srespeetively caround: said-laud :fixtures, leach-1 :of said casings: having :aop nine which may be positioned in alignment mithiisaid globe" means and also having 12am inner portion which forms said means :presonting 1a :rconca vereflectorr tsurface.

LINDSL1EY-SGHEPM0E$ BEFERENCES--, GITED The following references are of record inthe file ofthis patent:

-. UNITED STATES FATENIES 

